Nigerian leader orders investigation of weapons purchases

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s new president is ordering an investigation into military hardware and weapons purchased since 2007, part of his ongoing fight to end corruption and ensure the armed forces are properly equipped to fight the Boko Haram Islamic uprising.

Monday’s announcement came the same day former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki was charged in court with unlicensed possession of firearms. Nigeria’s intelligence agency said it uncovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in a July raid on Dasuki’s home “capable of undermining national security.”

Dasuki had taken control of weapons procurement from the Ministry of Defense.

A statement from President Muhammadu Buhari’s office said an investigating committee will recommend a streamlined process for weapons purchases to replace one that “very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment.”

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Launched in July 2015, Africa Times is an independent participative online news site for Sub-Saharan Africa. We aim to empower all African voices through publishing content by a range of people, from academics to bloggers. We are dedicated to bringing the world an African view on life, up-to-date African news and analysis.